Washing machine



June 18. 1968v KAPE ETAL WASHING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 original'Filed Jan. 1.8. 196e INVENTOR;

1n vemmus AIJEN KAPIIA Actu' 6 Sheets-Sheet :E

A. KAISER ETAL WASHING MACHINE Junel 18, 1968 Original Filed Jan. 18.1966 INVENTOR PETER VERDENIUS BY M l?.

FIG. 2

AMEN KAPER AGNT 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed Jan. 18, 1966 lllINVENTOR PETER VERDENIUS BY AMEN KAPEI AGENT United States Patent O3,388,566 WASHING MACHINE Arjen Kaper and Peter Verdenius,Oliemolenstraat,

Drachten, Netherlands, assignors to North American Philips Company,Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Continuation ofapplication Ser. No. 521,305, Ian. 18, 1966. This application Oct. 6,1967, Ser. No. 673,522 Claims priority, application Netherlands, Feb. 9,1965,

,501,560 17 Claims. (Cl. 68--12) ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A washingmachine program controller including means for automatically switchingthe machine into the rinse cycle upon completion ofthe wash cycle.

This Iapplication is a continuation :of application Ser. No. 521,305,filed Jan. 18, 1966, by Arjen Kaper et al. and now abandoned. l

This invention relation to automatic washing machines, and moreparticularly to a Washing machine program c'ontrol'ler including a firsttime circuit which determines the number of rinsing cycles to beperformed by the washing machine, la second time circuit whichdetenmine's the periods of washing and rinsing Within a washing cycleand a rinsing cycle, respectively, and a temperature controlledswitching circuit which is coupled to the second time circuit.

A washing machine of the above mentioned kind constitutes the subjectmatter of two prior patent applications. In the washing machinepreviously suggested, the change from the washing cycle to 'the rinsingcycles is initiated by manipulations from without, that is to say, lthemanual operation `of -a plurality of switches.

An object of the present invention is, inter alia, to change from thewashing cylces to the rinsing cycles automatically. To this end, theinvention is characterized in that, upon starting the wlashing programmeof the washing machine, Iatt least one switch is energized by which acapacitor of `a first .time circuit is connected to a direct voltagesupply; This time circuit closes a switch in series with the mechanismtor filling the washing machine. At the end of the washing period, whichis determined by the second time circuit, the direct voltage supply ofthe capacitor is interrupted so that the switch in series with thefilling mechanism switches-ofi after a delay period which is determinedby the first time circuit.

Prefenably, after a period determined by the second time Icirc-uit, afurther switch in Vseries with filling mechanism interrupts the voltageysupply of the filling mechanism :and establishes .the connection of thedrain pump to the voltage supply, which then empties 4the washing tub.

In accordance with Ianother feature of the invention, a switch formspart lof a voltage divider which provides the direct supply voltage forthe temperatu-recontrolled switching circuit in such manner that in thedie-energized condition of lthis switch, the output current of theswitching circuit is interrupted, thus causing interruption of theconnection of a timing capacitor in the input circuit of the secondItime cir-cuit to the direct voltage supply.

ln another embodiment of the invention, we connect in a series circuit:across the direct voltage supply, the switch energized upon 'start-ingthe programme, the element maintaining the energization, thetemperaturecontrolled switching circuit and the fur-ther switch includedin series with the filling mechanism.

In order that the invention may be readily carried into effect, it willnow be described in detail, by way of exam- Y 3,388,565 Patented June18, 1968 ice ple, with reference to the 'accompanying diagrammaticdraw-ings, in which:

FIGURE l shows a first embodiment of a circuit diagram of a washingmach-ine according to the invention;

FIGURE 2 shows a first variant of the diagram of FIGURE l, and

FIGURE 3 shows a second variant thereof.

The circuit arrangement 0f la washing machine, as shown in FIGURE 1,comprises, inter alia, the time cir cuits 48 and 88, .atemperature-controlled switching circuit 65, a washing motor 10 yand anauxiliary motor 17, and .a heating element 8. The arrangement alsoincludes la level contr-o1 19, 'a fill-up valve 3 and a pump 26. Theswitches present in the circuit arrangement are in part of the-opto-electronic type and in part of the electromechanical type.Subsequent manipulations are initiated by varying the position of oneyor more switches.

The operation of the circuit arrangement will now vbe described withreference to the diagrams.

A voltage source 1 'is connected through Ia switch 2 to the washingmachine. The time circuits 48 and 88 lare energized. The output currentfrom the time circuit 88 is negligible since the electrodes of annpn-type transistor 95 are so polarized that Ithis transistor isconducting. A relay coil 99 then conveys 'a negligible current and abipolar switch 21, 82 occupies the position 'shown tin tull line. Thepump 26 is operating and empties -the Washing tub, if filled. After lthetub has been pumped empty, a switch 164 in the level control 19 occupiesthe position in which contacts 31 and 32 are bridged.

A capacitor 87 in the input circuit of .the time circuit 88 i's chargedthrough a diode 80. Whe-n, due to the charging process, the potential:of the base 'of an npn-type transistor 90 exceeds the potential of theemitter, the transistor 90 becomes conducting and the transistor 95 iscut-oli. Consequently, the current flowing through the relay coil 99increases and the bipolar switch 82, 21 assumes the position shown inbroken line. This results in the motor of the pump 26 now beingconnected to the voltage source 1 th-rough a highaohmic resistor 25 anda light source 23. The pump motor stops and the light -source 23 isignited after a photosensitive resistor 24 in series therewith has been-shunted by closing a start knob 22. Said resistor is illuminated by`the light source 23 and becomes low-ohmic.

A photosensitive resistor 45, which is likewise illuminated by the lightsource 23, also becomes low-ohmic s0 that a capacitor 46 in the inputcircuit of the time circuit 48 is charged. When the capacitor 46 hasbeen charged to lan extent such that the base voltage of an npn-typetransistor 52 exceeds the emitter voltage, the transistor 52 becomesconductive 'and 'an npntype transistor 57 is cuteofi. Consequently thecurrent fiowing'through a relay coil 62 increases .and the relay Contact20 assumes the position shown in FIG. l in brok-en line` The ll-up valve3 is energized via relay contacts 20 and 21 and the washing tub isfilled. When the washing tub is filled -to the level desired, the switch164 in the level control 19 is changed from the position at which lthecontacts 31 and 32 are bridged to the position at which the contacts 31and L are bridged.

' A heating coil 8 4is energized now and the contents of the washin gtub lare heated.

At the same time, a light lsource 4, connected in parallel with the coil8, illuminates a photosensitive resistor 61 so that the relay coil 62 inthe output circuit of the time switch 48 is short-circuited by theseries-combination of the low-ohmic photosensitive resistors 60 and 61.The resistor 60 is illuminated by the light Isource 23. The switch 204returns to the position shown in full line and the process of fillingthe washing tub stops A light source 7, which also is connected inparallel with .the coil 8, illuminates =a photosensitive resistor 18 inseries with the lauxiliary motor 17. This motor, on the one hand,switches the energization for the washing motor on and oi (-by means ofla switch 16) and, on the other hand, determines the direction ofrotation of the washing motor (by means of a switch By means of theoptical coupling of the light source 7 and the photosensitive resistor18, it is thus ensured that the washing motor 10 is energized in thedesired manner during the period in which the contents of the washingtub are heated.

A temperature-sensitive resistor 66 of negative temperature coetiicientforms part of a voltage divider which determines the base voltage of apnp-type transistor 75. At the desired temperature of the water,resistor 66 assumes a value such that the base voltage exceeds theemitter voltage and the transistor 75 changes from the conductingcondition to the cut-ott condition. The temperature at which thishappens can be controlled by adjusting switch 64 to include one of thefour resistors 67 to 70 into the voltage divider in series with aphotosensitive resistor 72.

During the period of heating, a capacitor 87, which has previously beencharged through a resistor 79 and the diode 80, is charged throughtransistor 75 and a diode 76. When the washing water has reached thedesired temperature, the transistor 75 is cut-olf and the process ofcharging capacitor 87 stops. The so-called washing period now begins. Itis determined by the RC time constant of the parallel combination of aresistor 86 and the capacitor 87. At the end of the washing period thebase potential of the transistor 90 has decreased to an extent such thatthis transistor is cut-ott. The transistor 95 becomes conducting -andthe relay coil 99 becomes substantially idle. The switch 21 assumes theposition shown in full line. This has two consequences.

Firstly, the pump motor 26 becomes operative again so that the washingtub is pumped empty.

Secondly, the light source 23 is short circuited. This primarily causesthe photosensitive resistor 45 to become high-Ohmic so that thecapacitor 46 in the input circuit of the time circuit 43 is no longercharged and it slowly begins to discharge through the resistor 47.Furthermore, the photosensitive resistor 60y in the output circuit ofthe time circuit 48 also becomes high-ohmic so that the relay coil 62,which is connected in parallel with the seriescombination of thephotosensitive resistors 60 and 61, becomes conducting and the switchassumes the position shown in broken line. Lastly, the photosensitiveresistor 24 becomes high-ohmic so that the light source 23 cannot beignited until the start lknob 22 is pushed again.

When the washing tub has been partly emptied, the level switch 19changes over to the position in which the contacts 31 and 32 areconnected. The capacitor 87 in the input circuit of the time circuit 88is then charged through the diode 80 and a resistor 85. As soon as thebase potential of the transistor 90 has exceeded the emitter potentialas a result of the charge, the transmitter 90 becomes conducting.Consequently the transistor 95 cuts-oif so that the current iowingthrough the relay coil 99 increases and the switches 21 and 82 assumethe positions shown in broken lines.

The iill-up valve 3 is now connected through the closed switch 20 andthe switch 21, in the position shown in broken line, to the Voltagesource 1. The washing tub is refilled to the level at which the levelcontrol 19 bridges contacts H and 33. In fact, when the contacts L and31 are bridged by the switch 164 in the level control 19, thephotosensitive resistor 61 becomes low-ohmic due to the ignition of thelight source 4, but the photosensitive resistor 69, which is connectedin series with the resistor 61, is still high-ohmic so that the relaycoil 62 continues to carry current. It is only when the level of theliquid is so high that the level control 19 bridges the contacts 33 andH that the relay coil 62 is short-circuited and it becomes idle. Theswitch 20 assumes the position shown in full line and the fillingprocess stops. A

The light source 7, which illuminates a photosensitive resistor 18, hasalready been ignited before, namely when the contacts 31 and L of theswitch 164 in the level control 19 are bridged. Consequently, therotation of the washing motor 10 is initiated, as has been describedabove and in the now abandoned prior application Ser. No. 417,115, iiledDec. 9, 1964.

At the same time the washing movement is started, the process ofcharging the capacitor 87 in the input circuit of the time circuit 88stops. On the one hand, the first charging path via the diode isinterrupted due to the breaking of the contacts 31, 32 in the levelcontrol 19. On the other hand, the second charging path through thetransistor 75 is not opened since the photosensitive resistor 72 ishigh-ohmic and hence the transistor 75 is cut-ofi. For thephotosensitive resistor 72 is in optical contact with the light source23, which has been short circuited.

lThe capacitor 87 begins to discharge as soon as the level control 19interrupts the connection between the contacts 31 and 32 and closes thatbetween the contacts 31 and L, that is before the water of the washingtub has reached the high rinsing level H. When the capacitor 87 hasdischarged to an extent such that `the base potential of transistor 90has decreased below the emitter potential, the transistor 90 begins tocut-oit, the transistor 95 becomes conducting and the current flowingthrough the relay coil 99 becomes negligible. The switches 21 and 82assume the positions shown in full lines.

The pump 26 begins to pump out the washing tub. The described cycle ofpumping, filling, Washing (rinsing), pumping out is repeated.

The number of times that the rinsing cycle is repeated is determined bythe period of discharge of the capacitor 46 in the input circuit of thetime circuit 48. In fact, when the capacitor 46 has discharged to suchan extent that the base voltage of transistor 52 has decreased below theemitter voltage, the transistor 52 changes to the cut-oit condition andthe transistor 57 to the conducting condition. The current owing throughthe relay coil 62 becomes negligible, even if one of the photosensitiveresistors 60 and 61 is high-ohmic. The switch 20 assumes the positionshown in full line. The till-up valve 3 can no longer be energized sothat the rinsing process is stopped.

The operation of the circuit arrangement does not change it thephotosensitive resistor 72 is connected instead between the junction 30and a resistor 73.

If a switch 9 is opened, the light source 4 can no longer be ignited andthe photosensitive resistor 61 invariably remains highohmic. The washingtub is then iilled to the high level H, not only during the rinsingcycles, but also during the washing cycles.

If a switch 59 is changed from the position shown to the position atwhich contacts 36 and 37 are bridged, the resistor 61 is connected inparallel with the series-combination of resistor 60 and relay coil 62.Then, after the washing cycle, the resistor 60 becomes high-ohmic andthe relay coil 62 remains idle. The switch 20 remains in the positionshown. The washing tub is not filled again and rinsing does not takeplace.

A simplified form of the circuit arrangement of FIG- URE 1 is shown inFIGURE 2. In both figures the same reference numerals are used forcorresponding elements. Only the modified portion of the circuitarrangement of FIGURE 1 is shown in FIGURE 2.

The light source 23 in the diagram of FIGURE 2 is connected in serieswith the temperature-controlled switching circuit 65. After the washingtub has been pumped out by the pump 26, a starting knob 122 is pushed.Contacts 183 and 184, as Well as contacts 128 and 129, are bridged. Onthe one hand, the capacitor 87 is now rapidly charged through a resistor101 and the switch 82 so that the switches S2 and 2l, are changed-overalter a short time to the positions shown in broken lines.

On the other hand, the light source 23, which is in optical contact withthe photosensitive resistor 72, is energized. It is advantageous toconnect a resistor 102 in parallel with the light source 23 in order toobtain a voltage divider having an internal resistance which is notunduly high.

The washing cycle otherwise proceeds similarly to that obtained with thediagram of FIGURE l.

When, at the end of the washing cycle, the switches 21, 82, as Well asthe switch 164 in the level control 19, occupy the positions shown infull lines the light source 23 is extinguished. The resistor 72 then ishigh-ohmic and the capacitor 87, in the input circuit of the timecircuit 88, can be charged during pumping only through a resistor 100,whereafter the rst rinsing cycle begins.

The resistor 100 is preferably given a value which is considerablyhigher than that of the resistor 101 so that the maximum voltage acrosscapacitor 87 is considerably lower at the beginning of a rinsing cyclethan at the beginning of the washing cycle. The capacitor 87 istherefore discharged during a rinsing cycle within a time period whichis shorter than the time of discharge during the washing cycle.Consequently, the rinsing time during a rinsing cycle is shorter thanthe washing time during the Washing cycle. This is found to beadvantageous in the practice of washing.

FIGURE 3 shows a second variant of the circuit diagram of FIGURE 1. Themost marked differences between the two diagrams are:

(l) In the diagram of FIGURE 1, the relay 62 in the output circuit ofthe time circuit 48 is influenced by the variation in the impedance ofthe series-combination of the photosensitive resistor 61, illuminated bythe light source 4, and the photosensitve resistor 60, illuminated bythe light source 23.

In the diagram of FIGURE 3, the series-combination of photosensitiveresistors 160 and 161 is included in the input circuit of the timecircuit 48 and thus directly between the base of transistor 52 and theterminal oi negative voltage. Wherrboth resistors are illuminated,namely resistor 161 by the light source 7 and resistor 160 by a lightsource 123, the base of transistor 52 has substantially the negativeterminal voltage. The transistor 52 is cut-ott, the transistor 57 isconducting and the relay coil 62 does not convey'current. A similarresult was obtained in the circuit of FIGURE l. l 1

If one of the resistors 160 and 161 is not illuminated, theseries-combination has no influence on the condition of transistor 52and hence no influence on the condition of the relay coil 62. This alsois comparable to the diagram of FIGURE 1, where the relay coil 62 is notir1- tluenced by the series-combination of the resistors 60 and 61 ifone of these resistors is not illuminated and hence is high-ohmic.

(2) In the diagram of FIGURE 3, so-called pre-washing is provided. Tothis end, a photosensitive resistor 145 is included in parallel with thephotosensitive resistor 45 in the input circuit of the time switch y48,a photosensitive resistor 260 is included in parallel with thephotosensitive resistor 160, and a photosensitive resistor 172 isincluded in a parallel branch of the series-combination comprising thephotosensitive resistor 72 and one of the resistors 67 to 70.

The pre-washing process is initiated by pushing a knob 122 so that alight source 220 is energized and illuminates the photosensitiveresistors 145, 218, 260 and 172.

The pre-washing cycle proceeds similarly to the Washing cycle in thediagram of FIGURE l. The pre-Washing temperature is determined by theresistor 69 included, in series with the photosensitive resistor 172, inthe voltage divider which determines the base potential of thetransistor 75. When a switch 207 is opened, the contents of the washingtub are hardly heated during pre-washing. The washing time, which isdetermined by the values of resistor 86 and capacitor 87, beginsimmediately after filling.

(3) At the end of the pre-washing cycle the switch 164 in the levelcontrol 19 assumes the position at which the contacts 31 and 32 arebridged. This happens abruptly so that a voltage pulse is appliedthrough a resistor 209 and a capacitor 210 to the anode of agas-discharge lamp 123. In fact, a photosensitive resistor 218, which isilluminated by the gasdischarge lamp 220, is lowohmic. The lamp 123 isignited. The current iiowing through, and hence the voltage drop across,a resistor 215 in the common cathode lead of the lamps 220 and 123becomes so high that the Ivoltage across the lamp 220 decreases belowthe operating voltage. The lamp 220 extinguishes.

The ignition of the lamp 123, which illuminates the photosensiti-veresistors 45, 216, 160 and 72, initiates the washing cycle. The switch64 then occupies a position at which that end of one of the resistors 67to 70 which is remote from the base of transistor is connected to thephotosensitive resistor 72.

The normal washing cycle and the rinsing cycles proceed in the mannerexplained with reference to the diagram of FIGURE 1. If the switch 64occupies the position shown, the pre-washing cycle only is carried out.The number of rinsing cycles may be varied by means of a switch 200. Inthe closed position of this switch, a resistor 201 in the input circuitof the time circuit 48 is short-circuited. In this position the numberof rinsing cycles is smaller than in the open position of the switch200. If a switch 203 in series with the photosensitive resistor 160- isopened, the Washing tub is filled to the high level during washing.Similarly, if a switch 202 in series with the photosensitive resistor201 is open, the washing tub is illed to the high level duringpre-Washing.

At the end of the washing cycle, the switch 164 in the level control 19again assumes the position in which the contacts 31 and 32 are bridged.A voltage pulse is then applied through the resistor 209 and thecapacitor 210 to the anode of a gas-discharge lamp 217 since theresistor 218 is high-ohmic and the photosensitive resistor 216, which isilluminated by the gas-discharge lamp 123, is low-ohmic. Thegas-discharge'lamp 217 is ignited. rI`he lamp 123 extinguishes due tothe increased Voltage drop across the resistor 215. The resistors 45,160, 216 and 72 become high-ohmic. The first rinsing cycle starts. Therinsing process is similar to that described with reference to thediagram of FIGURE l.

(4) Working windings 230 and 231 of a Washing motor are delta-connectedto an operating capacitor 111. An auxiliary Winding 232 is connected inparallel with the operating capacitor. The lamp 7 illuminates thephotosensitive resistor 18 in series with the auxiliary motor 17 whenthe contents of the washing tub have operated the level switch 164. Theauxiliary motor 17 operates the switches 112 and 116 by means of camdiscs, not shown. Dependent upon the position of the switch 112, thewashing motor is at rest (switch in central position), rotates in theclockwise direction (switch in position R) or in the counterclockwisedirection (switch in position L).

I'f a switch 233 is open, the switch 116, which is operated by theauxiliary motor 17 through a cam disc, determines the duration in whichduring one period of rotation in the counterclockwise direction,standstill, rotation in the clockwise direction, the washing motoractually rotates in the counterclockwise direction and the clockwisedirection, respectively.

(5) When, during the iilling of the washing tub for the final rinsingcycle, the relay 62 becomes idle, because the capacitor 46 in the inputcircuit of the time circuit 48 has discharged to an extent such that thetransistor 52 commences to cut-oit and hence the transistor 57 becomesconducting, the rinsing programme stops; However, the capacitor 87 inthe input circuit of the time circuit 88 keeps charging through theswitch 164, which bridges the contacts 31 and 32, the resistor 79 andthe diode 80, so that the relay 99 remains energized. The switch 21remains in the position shown in broken line and the pump motor 26 isnot energized. At the end of the washing programme water remains in thetub.

To avoid this disadvantage, the relay coil 62 is coupled to a secondswitch 206. l the coil conveys current, and hence the switch 20 occupiesthe position shown in broken line, a resistor 205 is connected inparallel with resistor 53 through the switch 266. The resistor 58 is acommon emitter resistor for the transistors 52 and 57. Bridging of theresistor 58 means that the emitter voltage of transistor 52 isdecreased. The transistor 52 thus remains conducting during the shorttime in which the washing tub is filled. The voltage across thedischarging capacitor 46 decreases to a lesser extent than does thepotential of the emitter of transistor 52 due to the bridging of theemitter resistor. The process of filling the washing tub is completed.When the relay coil 62 is short-circuited by the switch 53, not only theswitch 20, but also the switch 206, reassume their back positions. Theemitter voltage of transistor 52 is restored to its initial value.

In summary, the novel program controller comprises a rst timing circuit48 which controls the number of rinse cycles in the program, a secondtiming circuit 88 that controls the duration of a washing or rinsingperiod within a washing or rinsing cycle, and a temperature controlledswitching circuit 65, including water temperature sensing means 66, thatcouples the supply voltage to the timing means 87 of the second timingcircuit. The second timing circuit controls the washer drain pump 26.The controller also comprises first switching means including switches 2and 22 for coupling the supply voltage to the controller. A secondswitching means comprising photosensitive resistor-45 responds to theactuation of the first switching means to actuate the first timingcircuit 48. The first timing circuit controls a first switch 20 inseries with a water intake valve 3 and the voltage source so as to closesame at given intervals. Whenever the Washer water reaches a givenlevel, the water level sensing means 164 effectively couples the voltagesource to the washer heating means 8 and to the motor energizing meansincluding photo-resistor 18 and auxiliary motor 17. A lamp 23 opticallycoupled to photosensitive resistors 72 and 45 provides a meansresponsive to the condition of the second timing circuit for inhibitingfurther operation of the switching circuit 65 at the end of the washngcycle while simultaneously controlling the second switching means 45 toinitiate the timing of the rinsing cycle. The rinsing cycle isdetermined by the first timing means comprising capacitor 46 andresistor 47.

What is claimed is:

l. A program controller for cycling the operation of a washing machinecomprising, a source of supply voltage, a first timing circuit coupledto said voltage source and including a capacitor for timing the rinsecycles in the program, a second timing circuit coupled to said voltagesource and including means for controlling the duration of theindividual wash and rinse cycles in said program, first switching meansfor selectively coupling said timing capacitor to said voltage source,means for initiating a program including means for energizing said firstswitching means to couple said capacitor to the voltage source, meansfor controlling the intake of Water into said washing machine, secondswitching means in series with said intake means and the voltage sourceand controlled by the output of said first timing circuit, saidenergizing means being controlled by the output of said second timingcircuit so as to deenergize said first switching means at the end of thewash cycle thereby to effectively interrupt the coupling of said timingcapacitor to said voltage source, said first timing circuit beingoperative to control said second switching means to switch off saidintake means after a given time delay.

`2. A controller as claimed in claim 1 further comprising, a drain pumpfor emptying the water from said washing machine, third switching meansconnected in series with said intake means and said voltage source andcontrolled by the output of said second timing circuit so that, at theend of a time period determined by said cycle controlling means, itinterrupts the circuit between said intake means and said voltage sourceand establishes a circuit between said drain pump and said voltagesource.

3. A controller as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second switchingmeans comprises electric switch contact means in series with said intakemeans and electric control means for operating said contact means andconnected across the output of said first timing circuit, saidcontroller further comprising first and second switching elementsconnected in series across said electric control means, said firstswitching element being controlled by said energizing means to close atthe start of the program and to open at the end oi; the wash cycle,means for sensing the water level in the washing machine, and meansresponsive to said water level sensing means for energizing said secondswitching element at a given level of the washer water.

4. A controller as claimed in claim 1 further comprising first andsecond switching elements connected in series across the input of saidfirst timing circuit, said first switching element being controlled bysaid energizing means to close at the start of the program and to openat the end of the wash cycle, means for sensing the water level in thewashing machine, and second means responsive to said water level sensingmeans for energizing said second switching element at a given level ofthe washer water.

5. A controller as claimed in claim 4 wherein said first and secondswitching elements comprise first and second photo sensitive resistors,respectively, said energizing means comprises a first light sourceoptically coupled to said first photosensitive resistor, and said secondenergizing means comprises a second light source optically coupled tosaid second photosensitive resistor and controlled by said water levelsensing means to illuminate said second photosensitive resisto-r at agiven level of the washer water.

6. A controller as claimed in claim 5 wherein said first switching meanscomprises a third photosensitive resistor optically coupled to saidfirst light source.

7. A controller as claimed in claim 5 further comprising means forcontrolling the rotation of the washer motor, said rotation controllingmeans including a fourth photosensitive resistor connected in circuitwith the washer motor and optically coupled to said second light source.

8. A controller as claimed in claim l wherein said cycle controllingmeans comprises a second timing capacitor, said controller furthercomprising, third switching means controlled by the output of saidsecond timing circuit, water level sensing means including a switchingelement, means providing a first charge path for said second capacitorat the start of a wash cycle that includes said third switching means,means providing a second charge path for said second capacitor at thestart of a rinse cycle that includes said switching element in serieswith a resistor of a value to provide a time constant for said secondcharge path that is diderent than that of said first charge path.

9. A controller as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second switchingmeans comprises electric switch contact means in series with said intakemeans and electric control means for operating said contact means andconnected across the output of said first timing circuit, means forapplying a bias threshold voltage to the input of said rst timingcircuit, said electric control means further including second electricswitch contact means coupled to said threshold voltage applying meansand arranged to selectively vary the threshold voltage at the input ofsaid first timing circuit in accordance with the energizetion of saidelectric control means.

10. A controller as claimed in claim 1 further comprising, means forsensing thewater level in the washing machine, first and secondphotosensitive resistors connected in series across the input of saidfirst timing circuit, said first switching means comprising a thirdphotosensitive resistor, said energizing means comprising a first lightsource optically coupled with said first and third photosensitiveresistors, a second light source, means connecting said first and secondlight sources in circuit with said voltage source to form a shiftregister, fourth and fifth photosensitive resistors, means connectingsaid fourth photosensitive resistor in parallel with said firstphotosensitive resistor and said fifth photosensitive resistor inparallel with said third photosensitive resistor, said second lightsource being Ioptically coupled with said fourth and fifthphotosensitive resistors, a third light source controlled by said waterlevel sensing means and optically coupled to said second photosensitiveresistor, and means for igniting said second light source at the startof the program, said shift register being operative to ignite said firstlight source at the end of a Wash cycle.

11. A controller as claimed in claim 2 wherein said cycle controllingmeans comprises a second timing capacitor, said controller furthercomprising temperature sensing means responsive to the temperature ofthe wash water, a temperature-controlled switching circuit responsive tosaid temperature sensing means and intercoupling said voltage sourcewith said second timing capacitor, a switching element, a voltagedivider including said switching element arranged to supply operatingvoltage to said temperature-controlled switching circuit, Said voltagedivider being operative in the deenergized condition of said switchingelement to vary the operating Voltage supplied to said switching circuitto cause same to interrupt the coupling between said second timingcapacitor and said voltage source.

12. A controller as claimed in claim 11 wherein said energizing meanscomprises a light source, and said first switching means and saidswitching element comprise first and second photosensitive resistors,respectively, each of which is optically coupled to said light source.

13. A controller as claimed in claim 2 wherein said cycle controllingmeans comp-rises a second timing capacitor, said controller furthercomprising temperature sensing means responsive to the temperature ofthe Wash water, a temperature-controlled switching circuit responsive tosaid temperature sensing means and intercoupling said voltage sourcewith said second timing capacitor, a switching element, and meansconnecting said switching element, said energizing means and said thirdswitching means in a series circuit across said voltage source and incircuit with said temperature-controlled switching circuit, saidswitching element being responsive to said energizing means to controlthe operating condition of said temperature-controlled switchingcircuit.

14. A controller as claimed in claim 13 wherein said energizing meanscomprises a light source, and said first switching means and saidswitching element comprises first and second photosensitive resistors,respectively, each of which is optically coupled to said light source.

15. A program controller for stepping a washing machine through aprogram of successive operations comprising, a source lof supplyvoltage, a first timing circuit for controlling the number of rinsecycles in the program, a second timing circuit for controlling theduration of a wash period and a rinse period within a wash cycle and arinse cycle, respectively, of said program, a temperature controlledswitching circuit coupled to the input of said second timing circuit andincluding a first photosensitive resistor for controlling the conditionthereof, a second photosensitive resistor coupled to the input circuitof said first timing circuit to control the condition thereof, a firstlight source optically coupled to said first and second photosensitiveresistors, first switching means for coupling said voltage source tosaid controller thereby energizing said first light source to begin theprogram, a washer drain pump, first relay means connected to said secondtiming circuit and having a first set of contacts in series with saidvoltage source and the drain pump to selectively energize said drainpump, said first relay means further comprising a second set of contactsand means for opening said first set of contacts when said second set isclosed, and vice versa, water intake means for the washing machine,second relay means connected in said first timing circuit and having aset of contacts in series with said water intake means, said second setof contacts of said first relay means, and said voltage source, saidfirst timing circuit assuming a first condition upon energization ofsaid second photosensitive resistor by said light source which causessaid second relay means to close its set of contacts, said first` timingcircuit having a timing capacitor in series with said secondphotosensitive resistor and said voltage source, said first relay meansbeing operative after a delay determined by said second timing circuitto extinguish said light source at the end of a washing cycle thereby tointerrupt the path between said voltage source and said timing capacitorto initiate the rinse cycle.

16. A controller as claimed in claim 1S further comprising third andfourth serially connected photosensitive4 resistors in shunt with saidsecond relay means, a second light source optically coupled to saidfourth photof sensitive resistor, water level sensing means having a setof contacts in vseries with said second light source and said voltagesource and arranged to energize said second light source at a givenlevel of the washer water, said first light source being opticallycoupled to said third photosensitive resistor to energize same at thestart 4of the program.

17. A controller as claimed in claim 15 further comprising means forconnecting said light source, said first photosensitive resistor andsaid second set of contacts of said first relay means in series withsaid voltage source.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,171,045 2/ 1965 Jacobs.3,246,182 4/ 1966 Hanchett. 3,267,702 8/1966 Rub etal.

WILLIAM I. PRICE, Primary Examiner.

